I thought it might be helpful to air my opinions and personal observations on the transition from hand-written to online journals. Having been in two semesters of Mr Mitchell's classes previously (African American Lit. and Coming of Age Novel ), I grew a certain fondness for the hand-written form of journal writing. I was obviously able to get over this preference, however, as I am at this moment utilizing the more modern equivalent. Having used both, I will attempt to weigh the benefits and disadvantages based on my own experiences and what I've seen and heard from others.
I will admit that I was initially against the online blogs as a full time replacement for hand-written journals. Last year the journal represented a much more personal communication between teacher and student. The best analogy I can present is that of a therapist and their patient. It would be ridiculous to broadcast a therapy session on NBC's thursday comedy lineup, and that's how I viewed the idea of putting the journal online. This comparison became immediately ridiculous once I considered it, but I do fear that more shy students are holding back some of their more creative ideas because of a fear of reprisal from their peers. I have so far seen no chastisement or heated debates erupting from blogs, which although a good thing, also has something to do with the fact that nobody is commenting at all. I'll try my best to comment whenever I can, but it seems difficult whenever you're in the role other than instructor to post a public comment on what amounts to be a piece of written work. The comment idea has grown on me in theory, but unless we are able to successfully utilize it, it's just a waste. I've also developed an interesting little paranoia in which I check every one of my classmates' blogs to make sure the idea I'm about to write about wasn't already done by someone else.
Of course, there are numerous benefits to the online version that I've run across. For one, it helps in keeping pieces of creative works legible in the case of a student with messy handwriting (oh, you all knew that was coming, don't act all surprised). It also allows the student to focus his writing time when it most benefits them, rather than having to try and force their creativity during class-time (some may have noticed that I write more late at night). It is even more practical when you consider that you cannot lose an online blog, forcing you to check every classroom and rummage through the lost and found whenever you become a bit absentminded. This new blog system should also cut down on a terrible habit that can develop in which a student puts off their journal work until a few nights before the final due date. I'm also sure that it's incredibly more beneficial to the sanity of our instructor to read 6 or 7 posts a day rather than thirty-five journals worth in a weekend. Additionally, although I do complain that I have to check every post to make sure I don't accidentally copy an idea, I do enjoy reading the posts made by others and watching as their opinions of the book grow and dwindle.
Well, this post turned into a bit more of a ramble than a point-by-point argument, but I'm not sure I can truthfully answer wholeheartedly for one side or the other. If I had to pick a side, it would probably be with this new system. Even with its flaws, the blogs just seem more practical and interesting for a journal writer. That said, I would still be perfectly happy to switch back. There's something so much more satisfying about holding a completed piece of writing rather than looking at it on your computer screen. I would say that This match has come to a draw, and until I see further evidence as to an obviously better journal experience, I'll simply be happy to be a part of the writing process.
2 comments:
tl;dr
Nah seriously though, I think you're focusing too much on the negatives rather than what this format gives us. It makes us responsible for doing posts one at a time instead of rushing them all at the end. It allows us to read whatever our classmates write. Most importantly to me, we get to word-process instead of handwriting it- Poor Mr. Mitchell shouldn't have to read through ten pages of Soren-scrawl. No one should have to do that.
Well, and as I said in class, you can still do *both*. The journal/notebook for sketching out fleeting ideas, sudden inspirations, or trying out how to put an elusive thought into words. And in terms of "reprisal" from classmates (or even unsympathetic criticism, or disagreement), I don't expect you all to be commenting on one another's writing as such, but talking back and forth, much like in class--commenting on the content. And try to get over your paranoia about duplicating someone else's observations--two (or more) can write on the same topic and say radically different (but equally awesome and valid) things about both.
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